<![CDATA[Built to Scale: Data Center Industry Insights]]>e5933977-f851-524c-884d-577c566bf214Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:35:41 +0000Captivate.fmPaul Koetkehttps://artwork.captivate.fm/6dc0fdfe-ba5c-409b-a10f-9736fe776234/Koetke-Consulting-Cover-Art-Options.jpgBuilt to Scale: Data Center Industry InsightsPaul KoetkePaul KoetkeWelcome to Built to Scale: Data Center Industry Insights. The data center industry is moving faster than the data used to manage it. Currently, 66% of project leaders can't see the information they need when change happens. When critical infrastructure is scattered across siloed systems and buried in spreadsheets, you aren’t just managing a project—you’re making million-dollar decisions blind. Hosted by Paul Koetke, the #1 solo Smartsheet Partner in the US, this podcast bridges the gap between massive capital project portfolios and real-time visibility. With a track record of managing $350M+ in deliverables for Fortune 500 companies like Johnson & Johnson and Cushman & Wakefield, Paul explores the intersection of high-stakes engineering and enterprise efficiency. Each episode features the "Project Leaders in the Trenches"—from Navy nuclear propulsion experts to hyperscale operations managers. We dive deep into: Infrastructure Scaling: How to manage mechanical and electrical complexity at scale. Data Unification: Moving from "spreadsheet hell" to real-time portfolio visibility. Operational Excellence: Streamlining acquisitions and accelerating customer onboarding. If you’re responsible for building, managing, or scaling the world’s digital backbone, this is your guide to clarity.https://built-to-scale.captivate.fmfalseepisodicnopodcastThe AI Boom Is Hitting a Power and Compute Wall in Data Centers with Jay ReinkeThe AI Boom Is Hitting a Power and Compute Wall in Data Centers with Jay ReinkeIn this episode of Built To Scale, host Paul Koetke speaks with three leaders from AGP-Jay, Peter, and David about how data centers are being built at the intersection of land, power, and AI driven demand. The conversation explores how AGP is expanding from renewable energy and real estate into large-scale data center development, and what it takes to deliver sites in a market increasingly constrained by power availability and regulatory complexity.

Jay Reinke, Vice President of Real Estate & Acquisitions at AGP. Formerly at AWS, he spent five years leading data center expansion and has extensive experience in large-scale site acquisition and development.

Peter Mahony ,Vice President of Investments at AGP. Previously at Jefferies, he focused on power and infrastructure and developed deep insight into how data center growth is reshaping energy markets.

David Ameneyro, Director of Real Estate and Acquisitions at AGP. He brings experience across real estate finance, colocation, business development, and data center development.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why power availability has become the biggest driver of modern data center development
  • How AGP expanded from renewables and real estate into large-scale data center projects
  • The growing role of AI in driving compute demand and reshaping infrastructure planning
  • How developers evaluate sites using power access, zoning, community support, and buildability
  • Why battery storage and behind-the-meter power solutions are becoming increasingly important
  • The biggest challenges, delays, and future trends shaping data center growth through 2026

Episode Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Introduction to Koetke Consulting and the AGP leadership team

• [01:49] - How AGP expanded from renewables into data center development

• [04:40] - Why land and power must work together in modern site selection

• [05:40] - Why “time to power” matters more than the cost of power

• [08:10] - Behind-the-meter power and the growth of deregulated markets like Texas

• [09:14] - Key site selection factors beyond power and fiber infrastructure

• [11:11] - Misconceptions around data centers, including water use and noise concerns

• [18:21] - How renewable energy and battery storage support data center operations

• [23:21] - How AI is improving data center site analysis and operational efficiency

• [28:59] - Major trends shaping the future of data center growth through 2026

Connect with Guest, Peter Mahony:


Connect with Guest, Jay Reinke:


Connect with Guest, David Ameneyro:


Connect with Host, Paul Koetke:


]]>In this episode of Built To Scale, host Paul Koetke speaks with three leaders from AGP-Jay, Peter, and David about how data centers are being built at the intersection of land, power, and AI driven demand. The conversation explores how AGP is expanding from renewable energy and real estate into large-scale data center development, and what it takes to deliver sites in a market increasingly constrained by power availability and regulatory complexity.

Jay Reinke, Vice President of Real Estate & Acquisitions at AGP. Formerly at AWS, he spent five years leading data center expansion and has extensive experience in large-scale site acquisition and development.

Peter Mahony ,Vice President of Investments at AGP. Previously at Jefferies, he focused on power and infrastructure and developed deep insight into how data center growth is reshaping energy markets.

David Ameneyro, Director of Real Estate and Acquisitions at AGP. He brings experience across real estate finance, colocation, business development, and data center development.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why power availability has become the biggest driver of modern data center development
  • How AGP expanded from renewables and real estate into large-scale data center projects
  • The growing role of AI in driving compute demand and reshaping infrastructure planning
  • How developers evaluate sites using power access, zoning, community support, and buildability
  • Why battery storage and behind-the-meter power solutions are becoming increasingly important
  • The biggest challenges, delays, and future trends shaping data center growth through 2026

Episode Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Introduction to Koetke Consulting and the AGP leadership team

• [01:49] - How AGP expanded from renewables into data center development

• [04:40] - Why land and power must work together in modern site selection

• [05:40] - Why “time to power” matters more than the cost of power

• [08:10] - Behind-the-meter power and the growth of deregulated markets like Texas

• [09:14] - Key site selection factors beyond power and fiber infrastructure

• [11:11] - Misconceptions around data centers, including water use and noise concerns

• [18:21] - How renewable energy and battery storage support data center operations

• [23:21] - How AI is improving data center site analysis and operational efficiency

• [28:59] - Major trends shaping the future of data center growth through 2026

Connect with Guest, Peter Mahony:


Connect with Guest, Jay Reinke:


Connect with Guest, David Ameneyro:


Connect with Host, Paul Koetke:


]]>061b4afe-a844-41ab-a857-f5ec983577aeWed, 03 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -040033:03falsefullHow Scaling Data Center Delivery Is Breaking Visibility and Decision-Making in the AI BoomHow Scaling Data Center Delivery Is Breaking Visibility and Decision-Making in the AI BoomIn this episode of the Built to Scale podcast, Paul Koetke shares his perspective on the growing operational challenges within the data center industry as AI demand accelerates infrastructure expansion. Drawing from his experience working with hyperscale and colocation operators, Paul explains how many organizations are being pushed to scale delivery far beyond what their existing systems and processes were designed to handle.

He highlights the growing importance of organizational throughput, real time visibility, and scalable work management systems, arguing that success in the AI era will depend not only on securing land and power, but also on building repeatable and reliable operational processes. Through real world examples and leadership insights, Paul explores why outdated reporting structures, fragmented workflows, and reactive decision-making are becoming major obstacles to sustainable growth in the data center sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why the data center industry is facing a major scalability inflection point
  • How AI growth is exposing weaknesses in traditional delivery systems
  • The hidden operational bottlenecks slowing large-scale infrastructure growth
  • Why organizational throughput matters as much as power and land acquisition
  • The importance of scalable work management infrastructure
  • Common pain points data center leaders face during rapid expansion
  • Why confidence and real-time visibility are critical for operators
  • How standardized processes improve delivery consistency at scale

Episode Timestamps:

  • [00:00] - Introduction to the Built to Scale podcast and its mission
  • [01:48] - Why AI growth will reward operational execution, not just land and power
  • [02:41] - Building standardized visibility and scalable reporting processes
  • [03:23] - Discovering that scalability challenges exist across the entire industry
  • [04:28] - Paul’s background in scalable systems and Smartsheet solutions
  • [05:00] - The deeper organizational throughput problem in data centers
  • [08:10] - The importance of confidence, visibility, and repeatable processes
  • [10:14] - Closing thoughts on scaling data center delivery in the AI era

Connect with Host, Paul Koetke:


]]>In this episode of the Built to Scale podcast, Paul Koetke shares his perspective on the growing operational challenges within the data center industry as AI demand accelerates infrastructure expansion. Drawing from his experience working with hyperscale and colocation operators, Paul explains how many organizations are being pushed to scale delivery far beyond what their existing systems and processes were designed to handle.

He highlights the growing importance of organizational throughput, real time visibility, and scalable work management systems, arguing that success in the AI era will depend not only on securing land and power, but also on building repeatable and reliable operational processes. Through real world examples and leadership insights, Paul explores why outdated reporting structures, fragmented workflows, and reactive decision-making are becoming major obstacles to sustainable growth in the data center sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why the data center industry is facing a major scalability inflection point
  • How AI growth is exposing weaknesses in traditional delivery systems
  • The hidden operational bottlenecks slowing large-scale infrastructure growth
  • Why organizational throughput matters as much as power and land acquisition
  • The importance of scalable work management infrastructure
  • Common pain points data center leaders face during rapid expansion
  • Why confidence and real-time visibility are critical for operators
  • How standardized processes improve delivery consistency at scale

Episode Timestamps:

  • [00:00] - Introduction to the Built to Scale podcast and its mission
  • [01:48] - Why AI growth will reward operational execution, not just land and power
  • [02:41] - Building standardized visibility and scalable reporting processes
  • [03:23] - Discovering that scalability challenges exist across the entire industry
  • [04:28] - Paul’s background in scalable systems and Smartsheet solutions
  • [05:00] - The deeper organizational throughput problem in data centers
  • [08:10] - The importance of confidence, visibility, and repeatable processes
  • [10:14] - Closing thoughts on scaling data center delivery in the AI era

Connect with Host, Paul Koetke:


]]>bf6ff10d-fe25-411b-9249-50fede533784Wed, 27 May 2026 09:25:00 -040010:55falsefullNew Episode Coming Soon!New Episode Coming Soon!Sixty-six percent of project leaders are flying blind. In the high-stakes world of data centers, critical information is often buried in siloed systems and scattered spreadsheets. When change happens, you don't just need data—you need clarity. Welcome to Built to Scale: Data Center Industry Insights.

I’m Paul Koetke. I’ve spent my career helping Fortune 500 organizations turn chaotic capital portfolios into streamlined, real-time engines for growth. I’ve seen what happens when million-dollar decisions are made without visibility, and I’ve seen the massive ROI that comes when you finally see the full picture.

This podcast is for the leaders building the world’s digital infrastructure. We’re moving past the surface-level talk to look at the mechanical, electrical, and data-driven realities of scaling at a hyperscale level.

Each week, we sit down with the experts managing the world’s most critical environments—from nuclear propulsion veterans to senior program managers at the biggest names in tech. No handoffs. No confusion. Just actionable insights on how to build to scale.

Follow "Built to Scale" right now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your shows. Let’s turn your scattered data into clear decisions.

]]>Sixty-six percent of project leaders are flying blind. In the high-stakes world of data centers, critical information is often buried in siloed systems and scattered spreadsheets. When change happens, you don't just need data—you need clarity. Welcome to Built to Scale: Data Center Industry Insights.

I’m Paul Koetke. I’ve spent my career helping Fortune 500 organizations turn chaotic capital portfolios into streamlined, real-time engines for growth. I’ve seen what happens when million-dollar decisions are made without visibility, and I’ve seen the massive ROI that comes when you finally see the full picture.

This podcast is for the leaders building the world’s digital infrastructure. We’re moving past the surface-level talk to look at the mechanical, electrical, and data-driven realities of scaling at a hyperscale level.

Each week, we sit down with the experts managing the world’s most critical environments—from nuclear propulsion veterans to senior program managers at the biggest names in tech. No handoffs. No confusion. Just actionable insights on how to build to scale.

Follow "Built to Scale" right now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your shows. Let’s turn your scattered data into clear decisions.

]]>75ca83f4-879a-41b9-8001-9cb9d5568acfTue, 24 Mar 2026 04:30:00 -040001:03falsefull